Dihydro-dibenzo[b,e]oxepine based selective estrogren receptor modulators, compositions and methods

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a compound of the formula (I) wherein R 1  is —H, —OH, —O(C 1 –C 4  alkyl), —OCOC 6 H 5 , —OCO(C 1 –C 6  alkyl), or —OSO 2 (C 2 –C 6  alkyl); R 0 , R 2  and R 3  are each independently —H, —OH, —O(C 1 –C 4  alkyl), —OCOC 6 H 5 , —OCO(C 1 –C 6  alkyl), —OSO 2 (C 2 –C 6  alkyl) or halo; R4 is 1-piperidinyl, 1-pyrrolidinyl, methyl-1-pyrrolidinyl, dimethyl-1-pyrrolidinyl, 4-morpholino, dimethylamino, diethylamino, diisopropylamino, or 1-hexamethyleneimino; n is 2 or 3; X is —S— or —HC═CH—; G is —O—, —S—, —SO—, SO 2 , or —N(R 5 )—, wherein R 5  is —H or C 1 –C 4  alkyl; and Y is —O—, —S—, —NH—, —NMe-, or —CH 2 —; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; pharmaceutical compositions thereof, optionally in combination with estrogen and progestin; methods of inhibiting a disease associated with estrogen deprivation; and methods for inhibiting a disease associated with an aberrant physiological response to endogenous estrogen.

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 ofInternational Application No. PCT/US2003/019554 filed Jul. 11, 2003,which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Ser. No.60/398,538, filed Jul. 24, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pentacyclic oxepines and derivativesthereof, compositions containing those compounds, their use as selectiveestrogen receptor modulators, and their use in inhibiting bone loss,cardiovascular disease, and breast and uterine carcinoma.

Menopause, the transition in women from the reproductive to thenon-reproductive stage of life, is characterized by the cessation ofmenstruation and occurs at an average age of fifty years. Thepostmenopausal state is characterized by changes in the levels ofcirculating sex hormones, the most dramatic of which is the reduction inplasma levels of 17β-estradiol to less than ten percent of premenopausalvalues. Clinical and epidemiological studies have shown that thepostmenopausal state is an important risk factor for a number of chronicdisorders, notably osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. In view ofthe fact that the current life span of women is about eighty years,women spend approximately one-third of their lives in the postmenopausalstate. This means that the potential for chronic effects of thepostmenopausal state on women's health is greater today than at the turnof the century when life expectancy was considerably shorter.

Osteoporosis describes a group of diseases which are characterized bythe net loss of bone mass per unit volume. The consequence of this lossof bone mass and resulting bone fracture is the failure of the skeletonto provide adequate structural support for the body. The most vulnerablebone tissue to the effects of postmenopausal osteoporosis is thetrabecular bone. This tissue is often referred to as spongy orcancellous bone and is particularly concentrated near the ends of thebone (near the joints) and in the vertebrae of the spine. The trabeculartissue is characterized by small osteoid structures which inter-connectwith each other, as well as the more solid and dense cortical tissuewhich makes up the outer surface and central shaft of the bone. Thisinter-connected network of trabeculae gives lateral support to the outercortical structure and is critical to the biomechanical strength of theoverall structure.

Following the cessation of menses, most women lose from about 20% toabout 60% of the bone mass in the trabecular compartment of the bonewithin 3 to 6 years. This rapid loss is generally associated with anincrease of bone resorption and formation. However, the resorptive cycleis more dominant and the result is a net loss of bone mass.

In postmenopausal osteoporosis, it is primarily the net resorption andloss of the trabeculae which leads to the failure and fracture of bone.In light of the loss of the trabeculae in postmenopausal women, it isnot surprising that the most common fractures are those associated withbones which are highly dependent on trabecular support, for example thevertebrae, the neck, and the weight bearing bones such as the femur andthe fore-arm. Indeed, hip fracture, collies fractures, and vertebralcrush fractures are hallmarks of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

There are an estimated 25 million women in the United States alone whoare afflicted with this disease. The results of osteoporosis arepersonally harmful and also account for a large economic loss due itschronicity and the need for extensive and long term support(hospitalization and nursing home care). This is especially true in moreelderly patients. Additionally, although osteoporosis is not generallythought of as a life threatening condition, a 20% to 30% mortality rateis related with hip fractures in elderly women. A large percentage ofthis mortality rate can be directly associated with postmenopausalosteoporosis.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women.Compared to men, premenopausal women are relatively protected fromcardiovascular disease; however, this protection is gradually lostfollowing menopause. The nature of estrogen's ability to regulate serumlipids is not well understood, but evidence indicates that estrogen canup-regulate the low density lipid (LDL) receptors in the liver which actto remove excess cholesterol. Additionally, estrogen appears to havesome effect on the biosynthesis of cholesterol, and other beneficialeffects on cardiovascular health.

At the present time, one generally accepted method for treatment ofdisorders resulting in the postmenopausal state from the decline inestrogen levels is estrogen replacement therapy. The therapy may takethe form of administering estrogen alone in so-called unopposed estrogenreplacement therapy (ERT) or in the form of coadministering estrogen andprogestin in a so-called hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) regimen.There are, however, major liabilities associated with chronicadministration of estrogen in postmenopausal women having to do withadverse effects on the breast and uterus. Women on ERT developendometrial cancer at rates three to six times higher than nonusersafter three to six years of use; after ten years of ERT, the risk ratioincreases to tenfold.

To combat these deleterious effect of ERT, the coadministration ofprogestin along with estrogen in a combined hormonal replacement therapy(HRT) is employed, since progestin acts to limit uterine stimulation andthus reduce the risk of uterine cancer.

Because of these known and suspected or feared liabilities of estrogentherapy, prescription of and patient compliance with chronic estrogenreplacement therapy has been poor. It has been estimated that, in theUnited States among postmenopausal women for whom ERT or HRT has beenprescribed, fewer than forty percent continue therapy beyond one year.

As a consequence, there is a need for the development of postmenopausaltherapy agents which possess the ideal pharmacological profile: forexample agents which produce the beneficial effects of estrogen uponskeletal tissue and the cardiovascular system without producing theadverse effects of estrogen upon the breast and the uterus. Agentspossessing such an estrogen profile would reverse the effects ofestrogen deficiency in certain tissues while at the same time bypassingor failing to act in tissues in which estrogen produces adverse effects.The term selective estrogen receptor modulators or “SERMs” has beenapplied such compounds which possess this tissue selective profile.SERMs are defined as compounds producing estrogen agonism in one or moredesired target tissues such as bone, liver, etc., together with estrogenantagonism and/or minimal (i.e. clinically insignificant) agonism inreproductive tissues such as the breast or uterus.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a compound of the formula

wherein

R¹ is —H, —OH, —O(C₁–C₄ alkyl), —OCOC₆H₅, —OCO(C₁–C₆ alkyl), or—OSO₂(C₂–C₆ alkyl);

R⁰, R² and R³ are each independently —H, —OH, —O(C₁–C₄ alkyl), —OCOC₆H₅,—OCO(C₁–C₆ alkyl), —OSO₂(C₂–C₆ alkyl) or halo;

R⁴ is 1-piperidinyl, 1-pyrrolidinyl, methyl-1-pyrrolidinyl,dimethyl-1-pyrrolidinyl, 4-morpholino, dimethylamino, diethylamino,diisopropylamino, or 1-hexamethyleneimino;

n is 2 or 3;

X is —S— or —HC═CH—;

G is —O—, —S—, —SO—, SO₂, or —N(⁵)—, wherein R⁵ is —H or C₁–C₄ alkyl;and

Y is —O—, —S—, —NH—, —NMe-, or —CH₂—;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In a second embodiment, the present invention provides a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compoundof formula (I), alone or in combination with estrogen or progestin, anda pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides medical methodsof employing compounds of the present invention, for alleviatingsymptoms of estrogen deprivation, including bone loss, for example,osteoporosis; cardiovascular disease, for example hypertension,thrombosis and lowering serum cholesterol.

In an alternative embodiment of the medical method of the presentinvention, the compounds of the present invention are employed in thetreatment of disease conditions associated with an aberrantphysiological response to endogenous estrogen including uterine fibroiddisease or uterine fibrosis, endometriosis, and estrogen dependentcancers.

In a still further embodiment, the invention relates to chemicalintermediates used in synthesizing the compounds of Formula (I).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

General terms used in the description of compounds herein described beartheir usual meanings. For example, “C₁–C₆ alkyl” refers to straight,branched, or cyclic aliphatic chains of 1 to 6 carbon atoms includingmoieties such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, n-butyl,pentyl, isopentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, cyclohexyl and the like. Likewise,“C₁–C₄ alkyl” refers to straight, branched, or cyclic aliphatic chainsof 1 to 4 carbon atoms including moieties such as methyl, ethyl, propyl,isopropyl, butyl, n-butyl, cyclopropyl, and the like. Similarly, theterm “C₁–C₄ alkoxy” represents a C₁–C₄ alkyl group attached through anoxygen molecule and include moieties such as, for example, methoxy,ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, and the like.

The term “NMe” refers to methylamino. The term “halo” refers to bromo,chloro, fluoro and iodo.

As used herein, the term “stereoisomer” refers to a compound made up ofthe same atoms bonded by the same bonds but having differentthree-dimensional structures which are not interchangeable. Thethree-dimensional structures are called configurations. As used herein,the term “enantiomer” refers to two stereoisomers whose molecules arenonsuperimposable mirror images of one another. The term “chiral center”refers to a carbon atom to which four different groups are attached. Asused herein, the term “diastereomers” refers to stereoisomers which arenot enantiomers. In addition, two diastereomers which have a differentconfiguration at only one chiral center are referred to herein as“epimers”. The terms “racemate”, “racemic mixture” or “fracemicmodification” refer to a mixture of equal parts of enantiomers.

The term “enantiomeric enrichment” as used herein refers to the increasein the amount of one enantiomer as compared to the other. A convenientmethod of expressing the enantiomeric enrichment achieved is the conceptof enantiomeric excess, or “ee”, which is found using the followingequation:

${ee} = {\frac{E^{1} - E^{2}}{E^{1} + E^{2}} \times 100}$wherein E¹ is the amount of the first enantiomer and E² is the amount ofthe second enantiomer. Thus, if the initial ratio of the two enantiomersis 50:50, such as is present in a racemic mixture, and an enantiomericenrichment sufficient to produce a final ratio of 70:30 is achieved, theee with respect to the first enantiomer is 40%. However, if the finalratio is 90:10, the ee with respect to the first enantiomer is 80%. Anee of greater than 90% is preferred, an ee of greater than 95% is mostpreferred and an ee of greater than 99% is most especially preferred.Enantiomeric enrichment is readily determined by one of ordinary skillin the art using standard techniques and procedures, such as gas or highperformance liquid chromatography with a chiral column. Choice of theappropriate chiral column, eluent and conditions necessary to effectseparation of the enantiomeric pair is well within the knowledge of oneof ordinary skill in the art. In addition, the specific stereoisomersand enantiomers of compounds of formula I can be prepared by one ofordinary skill in the art utilizing well known techniques and processes,such as those disclosed by J. Jacques, et al., “Enantiomers, Racemates,and Resolutions”, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1981, and E. L. Eliel andS. H. Wilen, “Stereochemistry of Organic Compounds”, (Wiley-Interscience1994), and European Patent Application No. EP-A-838448, published Apr.29, 1998. Examples of resolutions include recrystallization techniquesor chiral chromatography.

Some of the compounds of the present invention have one or more chiralcenters and may exist in a variety of stereoisomeric configurations. Asa consequence of these chiral centers, the compounds of the presentinvention occur as racemates, mixtures of enantiomers and as individualenantiomers, as well as diastereomers and mixtures of diastereomers. Allsuch racemates, enantiomers, and diastereomers are within the scope ofthe present invention.

The terms “R” and “S” are used herein as commonly used in organicchemistry to denote specific configuration of a chiral center. The term“R” (rectus) refers to that configuration of a chiral center with aclockwise relationship of group priorities (highest to second lowest)when viewed along the bond toward the lowest priority group. The term“S” (sinister) refers to that configuration of a chiral center with acounterclockwise relationship of group priorities (highest to secondlowest) when viewed along the bond toward the lowest priority group. Thepriority of groups is based upon their atomic number (in order ofdecreasing atomic number). A partial list of priorities and a discussionof stereochemistry is contained in “Nomenclature of Organic Compounds:Principles and Practice”, (J. H. Fletcher, et al., eds., 1974) at pages103–120.

The designation “

” refers to a bond that protrudes forward out of the plane of the page.

The designation “

” refers to a bond that protrudes backward out of the plane of the page.

The designation “

” refers to a bond wherein the stereochemistry is not defined.

As used herein, the term “estrogen” includes steroidal compounds havingestrogenic activity such as, for example, 17β-estradiol, estrone,conjugated estrogen (Premarin®), equine estrogen 17a-ethynyl estradiol,and the like. As used herein, the term “progestin” includes compoundshaving progestational activity such as, for example, progesterone,norethylnodrel, nongestrel, megestrol acetate, norethindrone, and thelike.

Preferred compounds of this invention include compounds of formula Iwherein Y is —O—. Other preferred compounds of this invention includecompounds of formula I wherein G is —O— or —S—.

Certain R³ and R⁴ groups also demonstrate preferable characteristics.For example, those compounds of formula I wherein R⁴ is 1-pyrrolidinyl,1-hexamethyleneimino, or 1-piperidinyl are preferred. A furtherpreferred subgroup of the preferred 1-pyrrolidinyl,1-hexamethyleneimino, or 1-piperidinyl compounds include those compoundswherein R¹, R², and R³ are each independently —H, —OH or —OCH₃.

Although the free-base or acid forms of formula I compounds can be usedin the methods of the present invention, it is preferred to prepare anduse a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form. Thus, the compounds used inthe methods of this invention form pharmaceutically acceptable acid orbase addition salts with a wide variety of organic and inorganic acidsand bases, and include the physiologically acceptable salts which areoften used in pharmaceutical chemistry. Such salts are also part of thisinvention. Typical inorganic acids used to form such salts includehydrochloric, hydrobromic, hydroiodic, nitric, sulfueric, phosphoric,hypophosphoric, and the like. Salts derived from organic acids, such asaliphatic mono and dicarboxylic acids, phenyl substituted alkanoicacids, hydroxyalkanoic and hydroxyalkandioic acids, aromatic acids,aliphatic and aromatic sulfonic acids, may also be used. Suchpharmaceutically acceptable salts thus include acetate, phenylacetate,trifluoroacetate, acrylate, ascorbate, benzoate, chlorobenzoate,dinitrobenzoate, hydroxybenzoate, methoxybenzoate, methylbenzoate,o-acetoxybenzoate, naphthalene-2-benzoate, bromide, isobutyrate,phenylbutyrate, b-hydroxybutyrate, butyne-1,4-dioate, hexyne-1,4-dioate,caprate, caprylate, chloride, cinnamate, citrate, formate, fumarate,glycollate, heptanoate, hippurate, lactate, malate, maleate,hydroxymaleate, malonate, mandelate, mesylate, nicotinate,isonicotinate, nitrate, oxalate, phthalate, terephthalate, phosphate,monohydrogenphosphate, dihydrogenphosphate, metaphosphate,pyrophosphate, propiolate, propionate, phenylpropionate, salicylate,sebacate, succinate, suberate, sulfate, bisulfate, pyrosulfate, sulfite,bisulfite, sulfonate, benzenesulfonate, p-bromophenylsulfonate,chlorobenzenesulfonate, ethanesulfonate, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonate,methanesulfonate, naphthalene-1-sulfonate, naphthalene-2-sulfonate,p-toluenesulfonate, xylenesulfonate, tartarate, and the like. Preferredsalts are the hydrochloride and oxalate salts.

Typical bases used to form pharmaceutically acceptable addition saltswould be inorganic bases, such as, sodium hydroxide, potassiumhydroxide, alkali carbonates or bicarbonates, calcium carbonate,magnesium carbonate, and the like. Additionally, organic bases may beutilized to form addition salts, e.g., alkyl amines, such as,triethylamine, dimethylamine, i-propylamine, and the like.

The pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts aretypically formed by reacting a compound of formula I with an equimolaror excess amount of acid or base. The reactants are generally combinedin a mutual solvent such as diethyl ether or ethyl acetate. The saltnormally precipitates out of solution within about one hour to 10 daysand can be isolated by filtration or the solvent can be stripped off byconventional means.

Specific examples of compounds contemplated as falling within the scopeof the present invention include, but are not limited to the followingcompounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts:

5-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-5,11-dihydro-6-oxa-12-thia-dibenzo[a,f]azulen-2-ol;

5-[4-(2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-5,11-dihydro-6-oxa-12-thia-dibenzo[a,f]azulen-2-ol;

13-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-7,13-dihydro-12-oxa-benzo[4,5]cyclohepta[1,2-a]naphthalen-3-ol;and

13-[4-(2-pyrrolidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-7,13-dihydro-12-oxa-benzo[4,5]cyclohepta[1,2-a]naphthalen-3-ol.

The compounds of formula (I) can be prepared by utilizing procedures andtechniques well known and appreciated by one of ordinary skill in theart. A general synthetic scheme for preparing compounds of formula (I)wherein X is —S— is set forth in Scheme A, wherein all substituents,unless otherwise indicated, are previously defined.

In Scheme A, R^(0a), R^(1a), R^(2a), and R^(3a) are each independently—H or —OPg, where Pg is a hydroxy protecting group and R^(0a), R^(2a)and R^(3a) can further be halo. In compounds of formula (2), (3), etseq., the Pg protecting groups R^(0a), R^(1a), R^(2a), and R^(3a) arephenolic protecting groups of the type taught by T. Greene, et al. inChapter 3 of “Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis,” Second Edition,John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1991, pp. 143–170. The preferredprotecting groups are alkyl ether groups, with methyl being particularlypreferred. In Scheme A, the substituent G¹ is —O—, —S—, or —N(R⁵)—.

In Scheme A, step 1, the6-methoxy-2-(2-methoxy-benzyl)-benzo[b]thiophene of formula (3) isprepared by reacting a dimethlyaminobenzothiophene of formula (2) with asuitably protected 2-alkoxybenzylmagnesium chloride under Grignardconditions, where Pg is a phenol protecting group such as a methyl orbenzyl ether. The Grignard reactions are of the type taught by Godfrey(U.S. Pat. No. 5,420,349).

For example, the dimethlyaminobenzothiophene (2) is reacted with asuitable 2-methoxybenzylmagnesium chloride under anhydrous conditions ina suitable aprotic organic solvent such as anhydrous tetrahydrofuran.The 2-methoxybenzylmagnesium chloride is preferably present in thereaction zone in a molar excess to dimethylaminobenzothiophene (2) ofabout 1.1 to about 3 equivalents. The reaction is carried out at asuitable temperature, preferably at room temperature, for a period oftime ranging from about 1 to about 12 hours. The reaction is thenquenched with a proton source such as, for example, sodium bicarbonateor methanol. The solvent is removed and the resulting mixture may beextracted, concentrated and purified according to techniques well knownin the art, and the crude6-substituted-2-(2-methoxy-benzyl)-benzo[b]thiophene (3) product may beused without further purification. For compounds of structure IA where Gis S or N(R⁵), the preferred Pg is benzyl so that it may be removed bytreating with H₂ on Pd/C without effecting the other methyl-protectedphenol.

Appropriate dimethlyaminobenzothiophenes (2) are known in the art, Greseet al., J. Med. Chem. 40(2), 146–147 (1997), U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,810issued Nov. 14, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,420,349 issued May 30, 1995, U.S.Pat. No. 5,792,870, issued Aug. 11, 1998, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,755,issued Sep. 10, 1996, or are prepared by techniques and procedures wellknown in the art.

In Scheme A, step 2, 2-(2-G¹H-benzyl)-benzo[b]thiophene (4) is preparedby deprotecting 6-substituted-2-(2-methoxy-benzyl)-benzo[b]thiophene (3)with a suitable deprotecting agent. The resulting alcohol functionalitymay then be converted when a thiol or amine is desired.

For example, 6-substituted-2-(2-methoxy-benzyl)-benzo[b]thiophene (3) isdissolved in a suitable organic solvent such as methylene chloride. Inorder to minimize side reactions during the BBr₃ deprotection, the HClsalt is first formed. The solution is contacted with excess HCl/ether toform the hydrochloric acid salt6-substituted-2-(2-methoxy-benzyl)-benzo[b]thiophene (3). The solutionis then concentrated to dryness and re-dissolved in the organic solvent.The solution is then cooled to a temperature ranging from about −10° C.to about 0° C. and a suitable deprotecting agent such as BBr₃ or sodiumethanthiolate (NaSEt) in an amount of about 1.1 to about 5 equivalentsis added. Generally, the reaction requires 1 to 72 hours. For compoundswhere G is O, the 2-(2-G¹H-benzyl)-benzo[b]thiophene (4) can be isolatedand purified by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction,evaporation, trituration, chromatography, and recrystallization, orphenol of formula (4) may be used without further purification. Forcompounds where G is S or N(R⁵), the benzyl protecting group of (3) isremoved by treatment with hydrogen gas using a palladium on carboncatalyst. For compounds where G is S, the phenol of formula (4) isconverted into the corresponding thiophenol using procedures known inthe art such as initial conversion to the triflate followed by apalladium-mediated coupling with sodium triisopropylsilane thiolate(Arnould et al. Tetrahedron Lett. 1996, 37, 4523). Reduction of theketone with LAH affords the corresponding alcohol. For compounds where Gis N(R⁵), the phenol of formula (4) is converted to the correspondingamine using methods well known in the art, such as initial conversion tothe triflate followed by a palladium-mediated coupling reaction (forexample, Buchwald et al. Tetrahedron Lett. 1997, 38, 6367). The amine isthen subjected to an intramolecular reductive amination using an acidsource and reducing agent such as NaCNBH₃ or Na(OAc)₃BH. Where R⁵ is notH, the nitrogen may be alkylated using an alkyl halide and base, such asKOBu-t in THF.

In Scheme A, step 3, the cyclized product of formula (IA) is prepared byreducing 2-(2-G¹H-benzyl)-benzo[b]thiophene (4) and subjecting thereduced product to an acid-catalyzed cyclization.

For example, 2-(2-G¹H-benzyl)-benzo[b]thiophene (4) is contacted with anexcess of a suitable reducing agent, such as diisobutylaluminum hydride(DIBAL), lithium aluminum hydride (LAH), aluminum hydride or boranedimethyl sulfide complex. The reaction is carried out in a suitablesolvent, such as tetrahydrofuran or diethyl ether. The reaction istypically carried out at temperatures of from 0° C. to the refluxingtemperature of the solvent. Typically, the reaction requires from about15 minutes to about 36 hours. The reduced product is then contacted witha suitable acid, such as trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The reaction isthen heated gently for a period of time ranging from about 15 minutes toabout 12 hours. The cyclized product of formula (IA) can be isolated andpurified by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction,evaporation, trituration, chromatography, and recrystallization.

For compounds of formula (IA) where G is S or N(R⁵), when a hydroxygroup is desired at R¹, R², and/or R³, a compound of formula (IA) isdeprotected with a suitable deprotecting agent such as BBr₃, or sodiumethanthiolate (NaSEt). The BBr₃ reaction is conveniently carried out ina suitable organic solvent such as dichloromethane or dichloroethanewhile the NaSEt reaction can be conveniently carried out in DMF, THF, orN-methylpyrrolidinone (NMP). The reaction is quenched with water anddiluted with a suitable organic solvent such as methylene chloride. Thedeprotected product where R⁰, R¹, R², and/or R³ are hydroxy can beisolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such asextraction, evaporation, trituration, chromatography, andrecrystallization.

A general synthetic scheme for preparing compounds of formula (1)wherein X is —CH═CH— is set forth in Scheme B, wherein all substituents,unless otherwise indicated, are previously defined.

In Scheme B, R^(0a), R^(1a), R^(2a), and R^(3a) are each independently—H or —OPg, where Pg is a hydroxy protecting group and R⁰, R^(2a) andR^(3a) can further be halo. En compounds of formula (5), (6), et seq.,the Pg protecting groups R^(0a), R^(1a), R^(2a), and R^(3a) are phenolicprotecting groups capable of withstanding the conditions of theFriedel-Crafts acylation reaction and are of the type taught by T.Greene, et al. in Chapter 3 of “Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis,”Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1991, pp. 143–170.The preferred protecting groups are alkyl ether groups, with methylbeing particularly preferred. In Scheme B, the substituent G¹ is —O—,—S—, or —N(R⁵)—.

The activating group, A, is selected from groups well known in the artto activate acids for the purposes of carrying out Friedel-Craftsacylation reactions and include the acid halides, such as fluoride,chloride and bromide; mixed acid anhydrides with C₁–C₆ alkanoic acids;C₁–C₆ alkylsulfonic acids, arylsulfonic acids, perfluorinated C₁–C₆alkanoic acids, C₁–C₆ alkylcarbonates, arylcarbonates, and the like. Thepreferred compounds of formula (8a) are those in which A is halogen,most preferably chlorine.

In Scheme B, step 1, a substituted naphthyl methanone of formula (6) isprepared by conducting a Friedel-Crafts acylation of a substitutednaphthyl of formula (5) with a substituted benzoyl derivative of formula(5a).

For example, the acylation reaction between (5) and (5a) is carried outin an inert organic solvent in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst.Suitable solvents include halogenated hydrocarbons such asdichloromethane, chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride,chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene and the like. The amount of solvent isnot critical, but is generally sufficient to enable efficient mixing ofthe reaction components. Suitable Lewis acid catalysts for theFriedel-Crafts acylation reaction between (5) and (5a) include anhydrousaluminum, boron, or zinc halides with aluminum chloride being preferred.Temperature and time of reaction will vary, depending upon the choice ofreaction solvent, Lewis acid catalyst, and activating group, A.Generally, reactions are carried out at temperatures below or at ambientto below or at the reflux temperature of the solvent. Reaction timesvary from several minutes to about forty-eight hours. The progress ofthe reaction toward completion can be followed by well-known techniquessuch as thin-layer chromatographic analysis of aliquots of the reactionmixture during the course of the reaction.

Typically, the reaction is conducted using 1.0 to 1.5 equivalents ofcompound (5a) for each equivalent of compound (5), with more of theactivated benzoyl compound added during the course of the reaction asneeded to drive the reaction to completion. The amount of Lewis acidcatalyst employed ranges from between about 0.1 to about 5 equivalents.The substituted naphthyl methanone of formula (6) can be isolated andpurified by techniques well known in the art, such as extraction,evaporation, trituration, chromatography, and recrystallization.

Appropriate substituted benzoyl derivatives of formula (5a) can beprepared as described herein from its appropriate benzoic acidderivative as set forth analogously in U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,475, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Appropriate benzoic acid derivatives of compounds of formula (5a) areset forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,068, U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,369, and U.S.Pat. No. 5,852,193, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

In Scheme B, step 2, the2-hydroxy-6-substituted-naphthalen-1-yl-methanone of formula (7) isprepared by selectively deprotecting the substituted naphthyl methanoneof formula (6).

For example, the naphythyl methanone of formula (6) is reacted with ademethylation reagent such as boron tribromide, boron trichloride, orboron triiodide, or with AlCl₃. The reaction is conducted under an inertatmosphere such as nitrogen, with one or more moles of the reagent permole of methoxy group to be demethylated.

Appropriate solvents for this reaction are those solvents or mixture ofsolvents which remain inert throughout the demethylation reaction.Halogenated solvents such as dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane,chloroform, methylene chloride, or aromatic solvents such as benzene ortoluene are preferred. The temperature employed in this reaction of thepresent process should be sufficient to effect completion of thedemethylation reaction. However, it is advantageous to keep thetemperature below 0° C. in order to maximize selectivity fordemethylation of the desired methoxy group and avoid the formation ofundesirable by products, especially the dihydroxy analog arising fromexcessive demethylation. Under the preferred reaction conditions, aselectively dealkylated product will be formed after stirring thereaction for about 1 to 24 hours. After quenching the reaction, the2-hydroxy-6-substituted-naphthalen-1-yl-methanone of formula (7) can beisolated and purified by techniques well known in the art, such asextraction, evaporation, trituration, chromatography, andrecrystallization.

In Scheme B, step 3, a2-L-substituted-6-substituted-naphthalen-1-yl-methanone of formula (8)is prepared by converting the hydroxy group of the2-hydroxy-6-substituted-naphthalen-1-yl-methanone of formula (7) to anappropriate activating group.

An appropriate activating group, L₁, is one which is compatible withpalladium-mediated coupling conditions and can be displaced by a2-alkoxybenzylzinc halide of the formula

where Hal is a halo group, preferably chloro. Appropriate activatinggroups, L₁, include bromo, iodo, and most preferablytrifluoromethansulfonate.

For example, compounds in which L₁ is trifluoromethansulfonate areformed by contacting an appropriate2-hydroxy-6-substituted-naphthalen-1-yl-methanone of formula (7) with amolar excess of trifluoromethanesulfonyl chloride. The reaction iscarried out in a suitable solvent, such as dichloromethane, chloroform,toluene, benzene, or pyridine. The reaction is carried out in thepresence of a suitable base, such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, or pyridine. Generally the reaction is carried out attemperatures of from −20° C. to 50° C. Generally, the reactions requirefrom 30 minutes to 24 hours, The product can be isolated and purified bytechniques well known in the art, such as extraction, evaporation,trituration, chromatography, and recrystallization.

In Scheme B, step 4, a[6-substituted-2-(substituted-benzyl)-naphthalen-1-yl]-[4-substituted-phenyl]-methanoneof formula (9) may be prepared by coupling2-L-substituted-6-substituted-naphthalen-1-yl-methanone of formula (8)to a 2-alkoxybenzylinc halide of formula (8a) using standardpalladium-mediated coupling procedures [see, e.g., Knochel et al. Org.Lett. 1999, 1, 1323)].

For example, a slight excess of 2-alkoxybenzylzinc halide (8a) is addedwith each equivalent of2-L-substituted-6-substituted-naphthalen-1-yl-methanone of formula (8)in the presence of a palladium catalyst and an appropriate base in aninert solvent, such as toluene, N-methylpyrrolidinone/toluene, or1,2-dimethoxyethane. Although various palladium catalysts drive suchcoupling reactions, the catalyst selected is usually reaction-specific.The use of a bis(dibenzylideneacetone)palladium —Pd(dba)₂ catalyst inthe present reaction is a preferred catalyst. Tetrabutylammonium iodide(Bu4NI) as an additive has been shown to improve yields and reactiontimes of similar couplings (Knochel et al. Org. Lett. 1999, 1, 1323).The temperature employed in this step should be sufficient to effectcompletion of the coupling reaction. Typically, gently heating thereaction mixture for a period from about 2 to about 8 hours is adequate.The product (9) can be isolated and purified by techniques well known inthe art, such as extraction, evaporation, trituration, chromatography,and recrystallization.

Compounds of formula (8a) are either commercially available or derivedfrom commercially available compounds via procedures well known to oneof ordinary skill in the art [see, e.g., Advanced Organic Chemistry:Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure, Fourth Edition, 3–16, (J. March,ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1992)].

In Scheme B, step 5,[6-substituted-2-(G¹H-benzyl)-naphthalen-1-yl]-[4-substituted-phenyl]-methanone(10) is prepared by deprotecting[6-substituted-2-(substituted-benzyl)-naphthalen-1-yl]-[4-substituted-phenyl]-methanone(9) with a suitable deprotecting agent according to procedures set forthin Scheme A, step 2. For compounds where G is S or N(R⁵), the alcoholproduct of formula (10) can be converted to either the correspondingthiol or amine according to procedures set forth previously in Scheme A,step 2.

In Scheme B, step 6,[6-substituted-2-(G¹H-benzyl)-naphthalen-1-yl]-[4-substituted-phenyl]-methanol(11) is prepared by reducing the methanone of formula (10).

For example, a[6-substituted-2-(G¹H-benzyl)-naphthalen-1-yl]-[4-substituted-phenyl]-methanone(10) is reacted with an appropriate reducing agent, such as an alkalimetal hydride, preferably lithium aluminum hydride. The reaction iscarried out in a suitable solvent, such as tetrahydrofuran. The reactionis generally carried out at a temperature of from 0° C. to the refluxingtemperature of the solvent. Generally, the reactions require from 30minutes to 72 hours. The[6-substituted-2-(G¹H-benzyl)-naphthalen-1-yl]-[4-substituted-phenyl]-methanol(11) can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art,such as extraction, evaporation, trituration, chromatography, andrecrystallization.

In Scheme B, step 7, the cyclized product of formula (IB) is prepared bysubjecting[6-substituted-2-(GH-benzyl)-naphthalen-1-yl]-[4-substituted-phenyl]-methanol(11) to an acid-catalyzed cyclization.

For example,[6-substituted-2-(G¹H-benzyl)-naphthalen-1-yl]-[4-substituted-phenyl]-methanol(11) is diluted with a suitable solvent or solvent mixture, such astetrahydrofuran and water followed by the addition of a suitable acid,such as hydrochloric acid. The reaction mixture is then heated gentlyfor a period of time ranging from about 5 to 30 minutes, diluted with asuitable organic solvent, such as methylene chloride, and quenched witha suitable base, such as sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassiumcarbonate, or potassium dicarbonate. The cyclized product of formula(IB) can be isolated and purified by techniques well known in the art,such as extraction, evaporation, trituration, chromatography, andrecrystallization.

When a hydroxy group is desired at R⁰, R¹, R², and/or R³, a compound offormula (IB) can be deprotected, isolated and purified according toprocedures set forth previously in Scheme A.

When a —OC(O)(C₁–C₆ alkyl) or —OC(O)C₆H₅ group is desired at R⁰, R¹, R²,and/or R³ a mono-, di-, or trihydroxy compound of formula. I, is reactedwith an agent such as acyl chloride, bromide, cyanide, or azide, or withan appropriate anhydride or mixed anhydride. The reactions areconveniently carried out in a basic solvent such as pyridine, lutidine,quinoline or isoquinoline, or in a tertiary amine solvent such astriethylamine, tributylamine, methylpiperidine, and the like. Thereaction also may be carried out in an inert solvent such as ethylacetate, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, dioxane, dimethoxyethane,acetonitrile, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and the like, to which atleast one equivalent of an acid scavenger, such as a tertiary amine, hasbeen added. If desired, acylation catalysts such as4-dimethylaminopyridine or 4-pyrrolidinopyridine may be used. See, e.g.,Haslam, et al., Tetrahedron, 36:2409–2433 (1980).

The acylation reactions which provide the aforementioned R⁰, R¹, R²,and/or R³ groups are carried out at moderate temperatures in the rangefrom about −25° C. to about 100° C., frequently under an inertatmosphere such as nitrogen gas. However, ambient temperature is usuallyadequate for the reaction.

Such acylations of the hydroxy group also may be performed byacid-catalyzed reactions of the appropriate carboxylic acids in inertorganic solvents or neat. Acid catalysts such as sulfuric acid,polyphosphoric acid, methanesulfonic acid, and the like are used.

The aforementioned R⁰, R¹, R², and/or R³ groups also may be provided byforming an active ester of the appropriate acid, such as the estersformed by such known reagents as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide,acylimidazoles, nitrophenols, pentachlorophenol, N-hydroxysuccinimide,and 1-hydroxy-benzotriazole. See, e.g., Bull. Chem. Soc. Japan, 38:1979(1965), and Chem. Ber., 788 and 2024 (1970).

When a compound is desired in which R⁰, R¹, R², and/or R³ are—OSO₂(C₄–C₆ alkyl), the suitable starting mono-, di- or trihydroxycompound is reacted with, for example, a derivative of the appropriatesulfonic acid such as a sulfonyl chloride, bromide, or sulfonyl ammoniumsalt, as taught by King and Monoir, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 97:2566–2567(1975). The mono-, di- or trihydroxy compound also can be reacted withthe appropriate sulfonic anhydride. Such reactions are carried out underconditions such as were explained above in the discussion of reactionwith acid halides and the like.

Compounds of formula (I) can be prepared so that R⁰, R¹, R², and/or R³are different biological protecting groups or, preferably, the samebiological protecting group. Preferred protecting groups include —CH₃,—C(O)C(CH₃)₃, —C(O)C₆H₅, and —SO₂(CH₂)₃CH₃.

Compounds of formula (5a) wherein Y is —S—, —NH—, —NMe-, or H₂— may beprepared analogously according to procedures well known in the art. Forexample, preparative syntheses of compounds of formula (5a) are taughtby C. R. Schmidt et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 9 (1999) 523–528.

All solvents were ACS grade and were used as supplied. All reagents werecommercially available and used without furter purification unlessotherwise noted. LCMS data was recorded on a Hewlett Packard 1100 seriesinstrument. The method used was 5% acetonitrile—95% water (0.05% TFA) to95% acetonitrile—5% water (0.05% TFA) over two minutes and hold forthree minutes on a Waters Symmetry C18 2.1×50 mm column at 35° C. ¹H NMRspectra were recorded at 400 MHz on a Varian 400 spectrometer unlessotherwise noted.

Preparation 1[6-Methoxy-2-(2-methoxy-benzyl)-benzo[b]thiophen-3-yl]-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methanone

Add a solution of 2-methoxybenzylmagnesium chloride (5 mL of 0.25 M/THF)to a stirred solution of(2-dimethylamino-6-methoxy-benzo[b]thiophen-3-yl)-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methanone(500 mg, 1.14 mmol) in THF (5 mL) at −78° C. After 30 min, addadditional 2-methoxybenzyl-magnesium chloride (5 mL). After 30 min,quench with water and dilute with iPrOH/CHCl₃(1:3). Wash the organicphase with water and brine, dry over MgSO₄, filter and concentrate toyield6-methoxy-2-(2-methoxy-benzyl)-benzo[b]thiophen-3-yl]-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methanone(686 mg). Use the crude product without further purification.

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): 7.85 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 2H), 7.28 (t, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.19 (m,3H), 6.93 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 2H), 6.82–6.87 (m, 2H), 6.78 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H),4.17 (m, 4H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.66 (s, 3H), 2.80 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 2.52(br. S, 4H), 1.62 (m, 4H), 1.45 (m, 2H). LCMS: 3.14 min, m/z=516 (M+H)⁺

Preparation 2[6-Hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxy-benzyl)-benzo[b]thiophen-3-yl]-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methanone

Prepare the HCl salt of[6-methoxy-2-(2-methoxy-benzyl)-benzo[b]thiophen-3-yl]-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methanoneby adding sat. HCl/Ether to a solution in CH₂Cl₂. Concentrate to drynessand redissolve in CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL). Cool this solution to 0° C. and addBBr₃ (1 mL). Stir for 2 h while warming to r.t. Quench the reaction withsat. NaHCO₃ and dilute with i-PrOH/CHCl₃ (1:3). Wash the organic phasewith water and brine, dry over MgSO₄, filter and concentrate. Purify thecrude by flash chromatography (0–5% (2M NH₃ in MeOH)/CH₂Cl₂) to afford[6-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxy-benzyl)-benzo[b]thiophen-3-yl]-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methanone(300 mg, 54%, 2 steps).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): 7.76 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 2H), 7.13–7.25 (m, 2H), 7.00 (d,J=2.2, 1H), 6.83–6.93 (m, 3H), 6.61–6.71 (m, 3H), 4.22 (s, 2H), 4.17 (m,2H), 2.84 (m, 2H), 2.58 (br. s, 4H), 1.63 (br. m, 4H), 1.45 (br. m, 2H).

EXAMPLE 15-[4-(2-Piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-5,11-dihydro-6-oxa-12-thia-dibenzo[a,f]azulen-2-ol

Add DIBAL solution (5 mL, 1M/THF) dropwise to[6-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxy-benzyl)-benzo[b]thiophen-3-yl]-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methanone(300 mg, 0.6 mmol) in THF (5 mL) at −78° C. Stir for 30 min and quenchwith water, followed by TFA (5 mL). Stir the mixture for 3 h whilewarming to r.t. Remove the solvent in vacuo and dissolve the residue ini-PrOH/CH₂Cl₂ (1:3). Wash the organic phase with water and brine, dryover MgSO₄, filter and concentrate. Purify by flash chromatography (0–5%(2M NH₃ in MeOH)/CH₂Cl₂) to afford5-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-5,11-dihydro-6-oxa-12-thia-dibenzo[a,f]azulen-2-ol(180 mg, 62%).

¹HNMR (CDCl₃): 7.20 (dd, J=7.0, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.96–7.10 (m, 5H), 6.71 (d,J=8.1 Hz, 2H), 6.64 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.54 (dd, J=8.8, 2.6 Hz, 1H),6.26 (s, 1H), 4.26 (ABq, J=15.8 Hz, 1H), 4.14 (ABq, J=16.1 Hz, 1H), 4.02(m, 2H), 2.78 (m, 2H), 2.55 (br.s, 4H), 1.62 (br. m, 4H), 1.43 (br. m,2H). LCMS: 2.99 min; m/z=472 (M+H)⁺

Preparation 3(2,6-Dimethoxy-naphthalen-1-yl)-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methanone

In a dry round bottom flask equipped with stir bar, temperature probeand N₂ line, dissolve 2,6-dimethoxynaphthalene (1.0 eq) in CH₂Cl₂ (5volume equivalents) at ambient temperature. Cool the solution to 0° C.in with an ice bath, and add 4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzoylchloride (1.1 eq). Add aluminum chloride (2.0 eq). Once the reaction isdetermined to be complete, quench the reaction slowly with 1 N NaOH anddilute with additional water and CH₂Cl₂. Wash the aqueous layer with(1×20 mL) of CH₂Cl₂. Combine the organic extracts and wash with brineand dry (Na₂SO₄). Recrystallize the crude product from methanol to give(2,6-dimethoxy-naphthalen-1-yl)-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methanone(average yield 68%).

Preparation 4(2-Hydroxy-6-methoxy-naphthalen-1-yl)-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methanone

Dissolve(2,6-Dimethoxy-naphthalen-1-yl)-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methanonein CH₂Cl₂ (10 volume equivalents) in a 3-neck round bottom flaskequipped with a pressure equalizing addition funnel, stirbar, and N₂source. Cool the flask in an ice/brine bath and add 1.0 M BCl₃ solutionin CH₂Cl₂ (1.2 equivalents) dropwise. The reaction solution turns darkred and the temperature initially increases to 5° C. Within one hour,all starting material is consumed, as determined by TLC (1:1,Ether:Petroleum Ether). Quench the reaction with methanol (5equivalents) and allow to warm to room temperature. Dilute the organicsolution with CH₂Cl₂ (one volume equivalent) and add to a 1.0 M NaHCO₃solution (5 volume equivalents) and stir for one hour. Separate theaqueous and organic layers. Wash the aqueous layer with CH₂Cl₂ (onevolume) and the combine organic layers, wash with saturated NH₄Cl anddry over Na₂SO₄. Purify the product via column chromatography (50/1silica gel) eluting with CH₂Cl₂/Hexanes (3/1) to yield(2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-naphthalen-1-yl)-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methanone(typical yield 87%).

Preparation 5 Trifluoro-methanesulfonic acid6-methoxy-1-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzoyl]-naphthalen-2-yl ester

Dissolve(2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-naphthalen-1-yl)-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methanonein CH₂Cl₂ (10 volumes) in a three neck round bottom flask equipped witha stir bar and N₂ source and chill to 0° C. in an ice/brine bath. Addpyridine (1.3 equivalents). Add trifluoromethane sulfonyl chloride (1.2equivalents) via syringe over 15 minutes. The yellow slurry turns clearorange with this addition. The reaction is determined to be complete byHPLC analysis after 15 minutes. Quench the reaction with H₂O (10volumes), wash with 1 N HCl (5 volumes), wash with 1.0 N NaHCO₃, and dryover Na₂SO₄. After concentration, trifluoro-methanesulfonic acid6-methoxy-1-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzoyl]-naphthalen-2-yl esteras a clean yellow foam is obtained in quantitative yield. Use theproduct without further purification.

Preparation 6[6-Methoxy-2-(2-methoxy-benzyl)-naphthalen-1-yl]-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methanone

Add a solution of 2-methoxybenzylzinc chloride (8 mL, 0.5 M/THF) to amixture of trifluoro-methanesulfonic acid6-methoxy-1-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-benzoyl]-naphthalen-2-yl ester(1.0 g, 1.86 mmol), Bu₄NI (2.1 g, 5.7 mmol), Pd(dba)₂ (68 mg 0.12 mmol)and dppf (66 mg, 0.12 mmol) in NMP/THF (5 mL, 3:2). Heat the mixture toreflux for 2 h. Quench the reaction with water and dilute with CH₂Cl₂.Wash the organic phase with water and brine, dry over MgSO₄, filter andconcentrate. Load the crude product on an SCX cartridge, wash with MeOHand elute with 2M NH₃/MeOH. Purify the resulting product by flashchromatography (0–5% (2M NH₃/MeOH)/CH₂Cl₂) to afford[6-methoxy-2-(2-methoxy-benzyl)-naphthalen-1-yl]-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methanone(820 mg, 87%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 7.77 (br. d, J=6.6 Hz, 2H), 7.69 (d, J=8.4 Hz,1H), 7.41 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (m, 1H), 7.13 (m, 2H), 6.98–7.03 (m,2H), 6.76–6.93 (m, 4H), 4.17 (m, 2H), 3.91 (m, 2H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.69(s, 3H), 2.81 (br. m, 2H), 2.54 (br. s, 4H), 1.63 (br. b, 4H), 1.45 (br.m, 2H).

Preparation 7[6-Hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxy-benzyl)-naphthalen-1-yl]-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methanone

Add BBr₃ (0.3 mL) dropwise to a stirred solution of[6-methoxy-2-(2-methoxy-benzyl)-naphthalen-1-yl]-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methanone(650 mg, 1.28 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (15 mL) at room temperature. Stir for 1 hand add an additional aliquot of BBr₃ (0.2 mL). Continue stirring for 1h and quench with MeOH and 2-methyl-2-butene. Load the resultingsolution on an SCX cartridge, wash with MeOH and elute with 2M NH₃/MeOH.Purify the resulting product by flash chromatography (0–5% (2M NH₃ inMeOH)/CH₂Cl₂) to afford[6-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxy-benzyl)-naphthalen-1-yl]-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methanone(161 mg, 26%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 7.79 (br. m), 7.49 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.21–7.27(m, 2H), 6.99–7.14 (m), 6.87 (dd, J=9.2, 2.6 Hz, 1H), 6.73–6.80 (m),6.48 (br. m), 4.13 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 2H), 3.85 (ABq, 2H), 2.80 (t, J=6.2Hz), 2.54 (br. s), 2.37–2.39 (m), 1.25–1.63 (m)

Preparation 86-(2-Hydroxy-benzyl)-5-{hydroxy-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methyl}-naphthalen-2-ol

Add LAH solution (0.3 mL, 1M/THF) to a solution of[6-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxy-benzyl)-naphthalen-1-yl]-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methanone(150 mg, 0.31 mmol) in THF (3 mL) at r.t. Stir for 30 min and quenchwith aq. NaHCO₃. Dilute with CH₂Cl₂, wash with water and brine, dry overMgSO₄, filter and concentrate. Purify the crude product by flashchromatography (0–5% (2M NH₃ in MeOH)/CH₂Cl₂) to afford6-(2-hydroxy-benzyl)-5-{hydroxy-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methyl}-naphthalen-2-ol(123 mg, 82%).

MS: m/z=484 (M+H)⁺

EXAMPLE 213-[4-(2-Piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-7,13-dihydro-12-oxa-benzo[4,5]cyclohepta[1,2-a]naphthalen-3-ol

Dissolve6-(2-hydroxy-benzyl)-5-{hydroxy-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-methyl}-naphthalen-2-ol(80 mg, 0.17 mmol) in HCl solution (20% 1M aq. HCl in THF). Stir at r.t.for 2 h and warm gently for 10 min. Dilute with CH₂Cl₂, wash with sat.NaHCO₃, water and brine, dry over MgSO₄, filter and concentrate. Purifythe crude product by flash chromatography (0–5% (2M NH3 in MeOH)/CH₂Cl₂)to afford13-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-7,13-dihydro-12-oxa-benzo[4,5]cyclohepta[1,2-a]naphthalen-3-ol(43 mg, 56%).

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃): 7.47 (t, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.31 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H),7.20 (dd, J=7.3, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.02–7.08 (m, 4H), 6.94 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 1H),6.83–6.87 (m, 3H), 6.57 (8.8 Hz, 2H), 4.50 (d, 14.6 Hz, 1H), 4.04 (m,2H), 3.96 (d, J=14.6 Hz, 1H), 2.85 (br. m, 2H), 2.66 (br. s, 4H), 1.69(br. m, 4H), 1.47 (br. s, 2H) LCMS: 3.00 min; m/z=466 (M+H)+

Biological Test Procedure General Preparation Procedure

Competition binding assay is run in a buffer containing 50 mM Hepes, pH7.5, 1.5 mM EDTA, 150 mM NaCl, 10% glycerol, 1 mg/ml ovalbumin and 5 mMDTT, using 0.025 μCi per well ³H-Estradiol(NEN #NET517 at 118 Ci/mmol, 1mCi/ml), 10 ng/well ERAlpha or ERbeta receptor (PanVera). Competingcompounds are added at 10 different concentrations. Non-specific bindingis determined in the presence of 1 μM of 17-B Estradiol. The bindingreaction (140 μl) is incubated for 4 hours at room /temperature, then 70μl of cold DCC buffer is added to each reaction (DCC buffer contains per50 ml of assay buffer, 0.75 g of charcoal (Sigma) and 0.25 g of dextran(Pharmacia)). Plates are mixed 8 minutes on an orbital shaker at 4° C.Plates are then centrifuged at 3,000 rpm at 4° C. for 10 minutes. Analiquot of 120 μl of the mix is transferred to another 96-well, whiteflat bottom plate (Costar) and 175 μl of Wallac Optiphase “Hisafe 3”scintillation fluid is added to each well. Plates are sealed and shakenvigorously on an orbital shaker. After an incubation of 2.5 hrs, readplates in a Wallac Microbeta counter. The data is used to calculate anIC50 and % Inhibition at 10 μM. The K_(d) for ³H-Estradiol is determinedby saturation binding to ER alpha and ER beta receptors. The IC₅₀ valuesfor compounds are converted to K_(i); using Cheng-Prusoff equation andthe K_(d) determined by saturation binding assay.

Ishikawa human endometrial tumor cells are maintained in MEM (minimumessential medium, with Earle's salts and L-Glutamine, Gibco BRL,Gaithersburg, Md.), supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (VN),(Gibco BRL). One day prior to assay, growth media is changed to assaymedium, DMEM/F-12 (3:1) (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium: NutrientMixture F-12, 3:1 Mixture, phenol red-free, Gibco BRL) supplemented with5% dextran coated charcoal stripped fetal bovine serum (DCC-FBS)(Hyclone, Logen, Utah), L-Glutamine (2 mM), MEM sodium pyruvate (1 mM),HEPES (N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N′-[2-ethanesulfonic acid] 2 mM) allfrom Gibco BRL). After an overnight incubation, ishikawa cells arerinsed with Dulbecco's Phosphate Buffered Saline (1×) (D-PBS) withoutCa⁺² and Mg⁺² (Gibco BRL), and trypsinized by a 3 minute incubation with0.25% Trypsin/EDTA, phenol red-free (Gibco BRL). Cells are resuspendedin assay medium and adjusted to 250,000 cells/ml. Approximately 25,000cells in a 100 ul media are added to flat-bottom 96 wells microcultureplates (Costar 3596) and incubated at 37° C. in a 5% CO₂ humidifiedincubator for 24 hours. The next day, serial dilutions of compounds areprepared in assay medium (at 6 times the final concentration in theassay). The assay is run in dual mode, agonist and antagonist modes. Forthe agonist mode, plates receive 25 μl/well of assay medium followed by25 μl/well of diluted compounds (at 6× the final concentrations). Forthe antagonist mode, plates receive 25 μl/well of 6 nM E₂ (β-Estradiol,Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) followed by 25 μl/well of diluted compounds (at6× the final concentrations). After an additional 48-hour incubation at37° C. in a 5% CO₂ humidified incubator, media is aspirated from wellsand 100 μl fresh assay medium is added to each microculture. Serialdilutions of compounds are prepared and added to the cells as describedabove. After an additional 72 hour incubation at 37° C. in a 5% CO₂humidified incubator, the assay is quenched by removing media andrinsing plates twice in Dulbecco's Phosphate Buffered Saline (1×)(D-PBS) (Gibco BRL). The plates are dried for 5 min and frozen at −70°C. for at least 1 hour. The plates are then removed from the freezer andallowed to thaw at room temperature. To each well, 100 μl of 1-Step™PNPP (Pierce Chemical Company, Rockford, Ill.) is added. After a20-minute incubation, plates are read on a spectophotometer at 405 nm.The data is fitted to a linear interpolation to derive EC50 (for agonistmode) or IC50 (for antagonist mode) values. For the agonist mode, a %efficacy for each compound is calculated versus the response toTamoxifen. For the antagonist mode, a % efficacy for each compound iscalculated versus E2 (1 nM) alone.

MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma cells (ATCC HTB 22) are maintained in MEM(minimal essential medium, phenol red-free, Gibco BRL) supplemented with10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (V/V), L-glutamine (2 mM), sodium pyruvate(1 mM), HEPES ((N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N′-[2-ethanesulfonicacid]10 mM}, non-essential amino acids (0.1 mM) and PenicillinStreptomycin (1×). Seven days prior to assay, MCF-7 cells are switchedto assay media which is the same as maintenance medium exceptsupplemented with 10% dextran-coated charcoal-stripped fetal bovineserum (DCC-FBS) assay medium in place of 10% FBS. MCP-7 cells areremoved from flasks using 10× Trypsin EDTA (phenol red free, Gibco BRL)and diluted to 1× in (Ca++/Mg++ free HBSS (phenol red-free). Cells areadjusted to 80,000 cells/ml in assay medium. Approximately 8,000 cells(100 μl) are added to each well in 96 well Cytostar T scintillationplates (Amersharn) and incubated at 37° C. in a 5% CO₂ humidifiedincubator for 24 hours to allow cell adherence and equilibration aftertransfer. Serial dilutions of drugs are prepared in assay medium at 4×the final desired concentration). A 50 μl aliquot of drug dilutions (at4× the final assay concentration) is transferred to duplicate wellsfollowed by 50 μl assay medium for the agonist mode or 50 μl of 40 pM ofE2 for the antagonist mode to a final volume of 200 μl. For each of theagonist plates, a basal level (media) and a maximum stimulated level(with 1 μM E2) is determined. For each of the antagonist plates, a basallevel (media) and a E2 (10 pM) alone control is determined. After anadditional 48 hours at 37° C. in a 5% CO₂ humidified incubator, 20 μl ofassay medium containing 0.01 μCi of ¹⁴C-thymidine (52 mCi/mmol, 50μCi/ul, Amersham) is added to each well. The plates are incubatedovernight in the same incubator and then counted on the Wallac Microbetacounter. The data is averaged to calculate an IC50 and % inhibition @ 1M for the antagonist mode. For the agonist mode, an EC50 and percent ofmaximum E2 stimulation and concentration of maximum stimulation iscalculated.

TABLE ER binding MCF-7 K_(i) K_(i) MCF-7 Ishikawa Cmpnd (ERα) (ERβ) IC50Ishikawa Agonist % IC50 (Ex. No.) (nM) (nM) (nM) EC50 (nM) Eff (nM) 1 11 8 N/D 4 19 2 2 3 10 N/D 24 454General Rat Preparation Procedure

Seventy-five day old (unless otherwise indicated) female Sprague Dawleyrats (weight range of 200 to 225 g) are obtained from Charles RiverLaboratories (Portage, Mich.). The animals are either bilaterallyovariectomized (OVX) or exposed to a Sham surgical procedure at CharlesRiver Laboratories, and then shipped after one week. Upon arrival, theyare housed in metal hanging cages in groups of 3 or 4 per cage and havead libitum access to food (calcium content approximately 0.5%) and waterfor one week. Room temperature is maintained at 22.2°±1.7° C. with aminimum relative humidity of 40%. The photoperiod in the room was 12hours light and 12 hours dark.

Dosing Regimen Tissue Collection: After a one week acclimation period(therefore, two weeks post-OVX) daily dosing with a compound of formula(I) (“F—I”) is initiated. 17α-ethynyl estradiol or F—I is given orally,unless otherwise stated, as a suspension in 1% carboxymethylcellulose ordissolved in 20% cyclodextrin. Animals are dosed daily for 4 days.Following the dosing regimen, animals are weighed and anesthetized witha ketamine: Xylazine (2:1, v:v) mixture and a blood sample is collectedby cardiac puncture. The animals are then sacrificed by asphyxiationwith CO₂, the uterus is removed through a midline incision, and a wetuterine weight is determined. 17α-ethynyl estradiol is obtained fromSigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, Mo.

Cardiovascular Disease/Hyperlipidemia

The blood samples from above are allowed to clot at room temperature for2 hours, and serum is obtained following centrifugation for 10 minutesat 3000 rpm. Serum cholesterol is determined using a Boehringer MannheimDiagnostics high performance cholesterol assay. Briefly the cholesterolis oxidized to cholest-4-en-3-one and hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogenperoxide is then reacted with phenol and 4-aminophenazone in thepresence of peroxidase to produce a p-quinone imine dye, which is readspectrophotemetrically at 500 nm. Cholesterol concentration is thencalculated against a standard curve. The entire assay is automated usinga Biomek Automated Workstation.

Uterine Eosinophil Peroxidase (EPO) Assay

The uteri from above are kept at 4° C. until time of enzymatic analysis.The uteri are then homogenized in 50 volumes of 50 mM Tris buffer (pH−8.0) containing 0.005% Triton X-100. Upon addition of 0.01% hydrogenperoxide and 10 mM O-phenylenediamine (final concentrations) in Trisbuffer, increase in absorbance is monitored for one minute at 450 nm.The presence of eosonophils in the uterus is an indication of estrogenicactivity of a compound. The maximal velocity of a 15 second interval isdetermined over the initial, linear portion of the reaction curve.

Inhibition of Bone Loss (Osteoporosis) Test Procedure

Following the general preparation procedure described above, the ratsare treated daily for thirty-five days (6 rats per treatment group) andsacrificed by carbon dioxide asphyxiation on the 36th day. Thethirty-five day time period is sufficient to allow maximal reduction inbone density, measured as described herein. At the time of sacrifice,the uteri are removed, dissected free of extraneous tissue, and thefluid contents are expelled before determination of wet weight in orderto confirm estrogen deficiency associated with complete ovariectomy.Uterine weight is routinely reduced about 75% in response toovariectomy. The uteri are then placed in 10% neutral buffered formalinto allow for subsequent histological analysis.

The right femurs are excised and digitilized X-rays generated andanalyzed by an image analysis program (NIH image) at the distalmetaphysis. The proximal aspect of the tibiae from these animals arealso scanned by quantitative computed tomography. In accordance with theabove procedures, F—I or ethynyl estradiol (EE₂) in 20% hydroxypropylβ-cyclodextrin are orally administered to test animals. F—I is alsouseful in combination with estrogen or progestin.

Uterine Fibrosis Test Procedures

Test 1: Between 3 and 20 women having uterine fibrosis are administeredF—I. The amount of compound administered is from 0.1 to 1000 mg/day, andthe period of administration is 3 months. The women are observed duringthe period of administration, and up to 3 months after discontinuance ofadministration, for effects on uterine fibrosis.

Test 2: The same procedure is used as in Test 1, except the period ofadministration is 6 months.

Test 3: The same procedure is used as in Test 1, except the period ofadministration is 1 year.

Test 4: Prolonged estrogen stimulation is used to induce leiomyomata insexually mature female guinea pigs. Animals are dosed with estradiol 3–5times per week by injection for 2–4 months or until tumors arise.Treatment consisting of F—I or vehicle is administered daily for 3–16weeks and then animals are sacrificed and the uteri harvested andanalyzed for tumor regression.

Test 5: Tissue from human leiomyomas are implanted into the peritonealcavity and/or uterine myometrium of sexually mature, castrated, female,nude mice. Exogenous estrogen is supplied to induce growth of theexplanted tissue. In some cases, the harvested tumor cells are culturedin vitro prior to implantation. Treatment consisting of F—I or vehicleis supplied by gastric lavage on a daily basis for 3–16 weeks andimplants are removed and measured for growth or regression. At the timeof sacrifice, the uteri are harvested to assess the status of the organ.

Test 6: Tissue from human uterine fibroid tumors is harvested andmaintained, in vitro, as primary non-transformed cultures. Surgicalspecimens are pushed through a sterile mesh or sieve, or alternatelyteased apart from surrounding tissue to produce a single cellsuspension. Cells are maintained in media containing 10% serum andantibiotic. Rates of growth in the presence and absence of estrogen aredetermined. Cells are assayed for their ability to produce complementcomponent C3 and their response to growth factors and growth hormone. Invitro cultures are assessed for their proliferative response followingtreatment with progestins, GnRH, F—I, and vehicle. Levels of steroidhormone receptors are assessed weekly to determine whether importantcell characteristics are maintained in vitro. Tissue from 5–25 patientsis utilized.

Test 7: F—I's ability to inhibit estrogen-stimulated proliferation ofleiomyoma-derived ELT cell lines is measured substantially as describedin Fuchs-Young, et al., “Inhibition of Estrogen-Stimulated Growth ofUterine Leiomyomas by Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators”, Mol.Car., 17(3):151–159 (1996), the teachings of which are hereinincorporated by reference.

Endometriosis Test Procedures

Test 1: Twelve to thirty adult CD strain female rats are used as testanimals. They are divided into three groups of equal numbers. Theestrous cycle of all animals is monitored. On the day of proestrus,surgery is performed on each female. Females in each group have the leftuterine horn removed, sectioned into small squares, and the squares areloosely sutured at various sites adjacent to the mesenteric blood flow.In addition, females in Group 2 have the ovaries removed. On the dayfollowing surgery, animals in Groups 1 and 2 receive intraperitonealinjections of water for 14 days whereas animals in Group 3 receiveintraperitoneal injections of 1.0 mg of F—I per kilogram of body weightfor the same duration. Following 14 days of treatment, each female issacrificed and the endometrial explants, adrenals, remaining uterus, andovaries, where applicable, are removed and prepared for histologicalexamination. The ovaries and adrenals are weighed.

Test 2: Twelve to thirty adult CD strain female rats are used as testanimals. They are divided into two equal groups. The estrous cycle ofall animals is monitored. On the day of proestrus, surgery is performedon each female. Females in each group have the left uterine hornremoved, sectioned into small squares, and the squares are looselysutured at various sites adjacent to the mesenteric blood flow.Approximately 50 days following surgery, animals assigned to Group 1receive intraperitoneal injections of water for 21 days whereas animalsin Group 2 receive intraperitoneal injections of 1.0 mg of F—I perkilogram of body weight for the same duration. Following 21 days oftreatment, each female is sacrificed and the endometrial explants andadrenals are removed and weighed. The explants are measured as anindication of growth. Estrous cycles are monitored.

Test 3: Autographs of endometrial tissue are used to induceendometriosis in rats and/or rabbits. Female animals at reproductivematurity undergo bilateral oophorectomy, and estrogen is suppliedexogenously thus providing a specific and constant level of hormone.Autologous endometrial tissue is implanted in the peritoneum of 5–150animals and estrogen supplied to induce growth of the explanted tissue.Treatment consisting of a compound of the present invention is suppliedby gastric lavage on a daily basis for 3–16 weeks, and implants areremoved and measured for growth or regression. At the time of sacrifice,the intact horn of the uterus is harvested to assess status ofendometrium.

Test 4: Tissue from human endometrial lesions is implanted into theperitoneum of sexually mature, castrated, female, nude mice. Exogenousestrogen is supplied to induce growth of the explanted tissue. In somecases, the harvested endometrial cells are cultured in vitro prior toimplantation. Treatment consisting of F—I supplied by gastric lavage ona daily basis for 3–16 weeks, and implants are removed and measured forgrowth or regression. At the time of sacrifice, the uteri are harvestedto assess the status of the intact endometrium.

Test 5: Tissue from human endometrial lesions is harvested andmaintained ill vitro as primary non-transformed cultures. Surgicalspecimens are pushed through a sterile mesh or sieve, or alternatelyteased apart from surrounding tissue to produce a single cellsuspension. Cells are maintained in media containing 10% serum andantibiotic. Rates of growth in the presence and absence of estrogen aredetermined. Cells are assayed for their ability to produce complementcomponent C3 and their response to growth factors and growth hormone. Invitro cultures are assessed for their proliferative response followingtreatment with progestins, GnRH, F—I, and vehicle. Levels of steroidhormone receptors are assessed weekly to determine whether importantcell characteristics are maintained in vitro. Tissue from 5–25 patientsis utilized.

Use of Formula (I Compound in Conjunction with Estrogen

Peri- and post-menopausal women often undergo hormone replacementtherapy (HRT) to combat negative consequences associated with the dropin circulating endogenous estrogen, e.g., to treat hot flashes. However,HRT has been associated with increased risks of certain cancersincluding uterine and breast cancer. F—I may be employed in conjunctionwith HRT to inhibit these risks.

Prevention of Breast Cancer

This invention also relates to the administration of F—I to a recipientwho is at risk of developing de novo breast cancer. The term “de novo”,as used herein, means the lack of transformation or metamorphosis ofnormal breast cells to cancerous or malignant cells in the firstinstance. Such a transformation may occur in stages in the same ordaughter cells via an evolutionary process or may occur in a single,pivotal event. This de novo process is in contrast to the metastasis,colonization, or spreading of already transformed or malignant cellsfrom the primary tumor site to new locations.

A person who is at no particular risk of developing breast cancer is onewho may develop de novo breast cancer, has no evidence or suspicion ofthe potential of the disease above normal risk, and who has never had adiagnosis of having the disease. The greatest risk factor contributingto the development of breast carcinoma is a personal history ofsuffering from the disease, or an earlier occurrence of the disease,even if it is in remission with no evidence of its presence. Anotherrisk factor is family history of the disease.

Induction of mammary tumors in rats by administration of the carcinogenN-nitroso-N-methylurea is a well-accepted animal model for the study ofbreast cancer and has been found suitable for analyzing the effect ofchemopreventive agents.

In two separate studies, 55-day old female Sprague-Dawley rats are givenan intravenous (Study 1) or intraperitoneal (Study 2) dose of 50 mg ofN-nitroso-N-methylurea per kilogram of body weight one week prior tofeeding ad libitum a diet into which varying amounts of F—I,(Z)-2-[4-(1,2-diphenyl-1-butenyl)phenoxy]-N,N-dimethylethanamine base(tamoxifen base), or control are blended.

In Study 1, the dietary doses of 60 mg/kg of diet and 20 mg/kg of diettranslates into roughly comparable doses of 3 and 1 mg/kg of body weightfor the test animals.

In Study 2, the dietary doses of 20, 6, 2, and 0.6 mg/kg of diettranslates roughly into comparable doses of 1, 0.3, 0.1 and 0.03 mg/kgof body weight for the test animals.

Rats are observed for evidence of toxicity and are weighed and palpatedfor tumor formation once a week. The animals are sacrificed afterthirteen weeks (Study 1) or eighteen weeks (Study 2) and tumors areconfirmed and weighed at autopsy.

Therapeutic Methods of Use and Dosages

The present invention also provides a method of inhibiting a diseaseassociated with estrogen deprivation and a method for inhibiting adisease associated with an aberrant physiological response to endogenousestrogen which comprises the aforementioned method using compounds ofFormula I and optionally comprises administering to a patient aneffective amount of estrogen or progestin. These treatments areparticularly useful for treating osteoporosis and lowering serumcholesterol because the patient will receive the benefits of eachpharmaceutical agent while the compounds of the present invention wouldinhibit undesirable side-effects of estrogen and progestin. Activity ofthese combination treatments in any of the post-menopausal tests, infra,indicates that the combination treatments are useful for alleviating thesymptoms of post-menopausal symptoms in women.

Various forms of estrogen and progestin are commercially available.Estrogen-based agents include, for example, ethynyl estrogen (0.01–0.03mg/day), mestranol (0.05–0.15 mg/day), and conjugated estrogenichormones such as Premarin® (Wyeth-Ayerst; 0.3–2.5 mg/day).Progestin-based agents include, for example, medroxyprogesterone such asProvera® (Upjohn; 2.5–10 mg/day), norethylnodrel (1.0–10.0 mg/day), andnonethindrone (0.5–2.0 mg/day). A preferred estrogen-based compound isPremarin®, and norethylnodrel and norethindrone are preferredprogestin-based agents.

The method of administration of each estrogen- and progestin-based agentis consistent with that which is known in the art. For the majority ofthe methods of the present invention, compounds of Formula I areadministered continuously, from 1 to 3 times daily. However, cyclicaltherapy may especially be useful in the treatment of endometriosis ormay be used acutely during painful attacks of the disease. In the caseof restenosis, therapy may be limited to short (1–6 months) intervalsfollowing medical procedures such as angioplasty.

As used herein, the term “patient” refers to a warm-blooded animal ormammal which is in need of inhibiting a disease associated with estrogendeprivation or in need of inhibiting a disease associated with anaberrant physiological response to endogenous estrogen. It is understoodthat guinea pigs, dogs, cats, rats, mice, hamsters, and primates,including humans, are examples of patients within the scope of themeaning of the term. Preferred patients include humans. Most preferredpatients include postmenopausal female humans.

As used herein, the term “inhibit” is defined to include its generallyaccepted meaning which includes preventing, prohibiting, restraining,and slowing, stopping or reversing progression, or severity, and holdingin check and/or treating existing characteristics. The present methodincludes both medical therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment, asappropriate.

The term “estrogen deprivation” is meant to imply the condition wherethe optimal level of estrogen is absent. This level varies from onetissue to another depending on the function of the tissue. Thus, in somecases, estrogen deprivation may be the total absence of estrogen,whereas in other cases, deprivation may involve estrogen levels whichare too low for proper tissue function. In human women, the two mostcommon causes of estrogen deprivation are menopause and ovariectomy,although other conditions can be causative. Estrogen deprivation canlead to conditions including osteoporosis and cardiovascular effectssuch as hyperlipidemia, proliferation of aortal smooth muscle cells(restenosis), decrease in nitric oxide production (hypertension) anddecrease in production of the enzyme PAI-1 (Plasminogen ActivatorInhibitor-1), i.e. thrombosis.

Reduction or amelioration of other pathologies associated with menopausesuch as urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness, increase in the incidenceof auto-immune disease, and loss of skin tone, may also be achieved byadministering compounds of Formula I.

In addition to their usefulness in treating conditions associated withestrogen deprivation following menopause, the compounds of the presentinvention are also useful in the treatment of disease states associatedwith inappropriate response to endogenous estrogen in tissues both priorto and subsequent to menopause.

One example of a pathological condition associated with abnormalcellular responses to endogenous estrogen in tissues is estrogendependent breast cancer. Estrogen dependent breast tumor cellsproliferate in the presence of estrogen and the treatment of thisdisease has been to stop all action of estrogen on these cells.

Another estrogen dependent pathology is uterine fibrosis (uterinefibroid disease). Essentially, uterine fibrosis is a condition wherethere is a deposition of fibroid tissue on the wall of the uterus. Thiscondition is a cause of dysmenorrhea and infertility in women. The exactcause of this condition is poorly understood but evidence suggests thatit is an inappropriate response of fibroid tissue to estrogen. The mostcommon treatment of uterine fibrosis involves surgical procedures bothcostly and sometimes a source of complications such as the formation ofabdominal adhesions and infections.

Yet another disease in this category is endometriosis, a condition ofsevere dysmenorrhea, which is accompanied by severe pain, bleeding intothe endometrial masses or peritoneal cavity and often leads toinfertility. The cause of the symptoms of this condition appear to beectopic endometrial growths located in inappropriate tissues whichrespond inappropriately to hormonal control.

As used herein, the term “therapeutically effective amount” means anamount of compound of the present invention which is capable ofalleviating the symptoms of the various pathological conditions hereindescribed. The specific dose of a compound administered according tothis invention will, of course, be determined by the particularcircumstances surrounding the case including, for example, the compoundadministered, the route of administration, the state of being of thepatient, and the pathological condition being treated. A typical dailydose for human use will contain a nontoxic dosage level of from about 1mg to about 600 mg/day of a compound of the present invention. Preferreddaily doses generally will be from about 15 mg to about 300 mg/day. Mostpreferred doses range may range from 20 mg to about 100 mg, administeredonce to three times per day.

The compounds of this invention can be administered by a variety ofroutes including oral, rectal, transdermal, subcutaneus, intravenous,intramuscular, and intranasal. These compounds preferably are formulatedprior to administration, the selection of which will be decided by theattending physician. Thus, another aspect of the present invention is apharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a compoundof Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionallycontaining an effective amount of estrogen or progestin, and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, or excipient.

The total active ingredients in such formulations comprises from 0.1% to99.9% by weight of the formulation. By “pharmaceutically acceptable” itis meant the carrier, diluent, excipients and salt must be compatiblewith the other ingredients of the formulation, and not deleterious tothe recipient thereof.

Pharmaceutical formulations of the present invention can be prepared byprocedures known in the art using well known and readily availableingredients; For example, the compounds of formula I, with or without anestrogen or progestin compound, can be formulated with commonexcipients, diluents, or carriers, and formed into tablets, capsules,suspensions, powders, and the like. Examples of excipients, diluents,and carriers that are suitable for such formulations include thefollowing: fillers and extenders such as starch, sugars, mannitol, andsilicic derivatives; binding agents such as carboxyxnethyl cellulose andother cellulose derivatives, alginates, gelatin, andpolyvinyl-pyrrolidone; moisturizing agents such as glycerol;disintegrating agents such as calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate;agents for retarding dissolution such as paraffin; resorptionaccelerators such as quaternary ammonium compounds; surface activeagents such as cetyl alcohol, glycerol monostearate; adsorptive carrierssuch as kaolin and bentonite; and lubricants such as talc, calcium andmagnesium stearate, and solid polyethyl glycols.

The compounds also can be formulated as elixirs or solutions forconvenient oral administration or as solutions appropriate forparenteral administration, for example, by intramuscular, subcutaneousor intravenous routes. Additionally, the compounds are well suited toformulation as sustained release dosage forms and the like. Theformulations can be so constituted that they release the activeingredient only or preferably in a particular physiological location,possibly over a period of time. The coatings, envelopes, and protectivematrices may be made, for example, from polymeric substances or waxes.

Compounds of formula I, alone or in combination with a pharmaceuticalagent of the present invention, generally will be administered in aconvenient formulation.

1. A compound of the formula

wherein R¹ is —H, —OH, —O(C₁–C₄ alkyl), —OCOC₆H₅, —OCO(C₁–C₆ alkyl), or—OSO₂(C₂–C₆ alkyl); R⁰, R² and R³ are each independently —H, —OH,—O(C₁–C₄ alkyl), —OCOC₆H₅, —OCO(C₁–C₆ alkyl), —OSO₂(C₂–C₆ alkyl) orhalo; R⁴ is 1-piperidinyl, 1-pyrrolidinyl, methyl-1-pyrrolidinyl,dimethyl-1-pyrrolidinyl, 4-morpholino, dimethylamino, diethylamino,diisopropylamino, or 1-hexamethyleneimino; n is 2 or 3; X is —S— or—HC═CH—; G is —O—, —S—, —SO—, SO₂, or —N(R⁵)—, wherein R⁵ is —H or C₁–C₄alkyl; and Y is —O—, —S—, —NH—, —NMe-, or —CH₂—; or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof.
 2. A compound of claim 1 of the formula

wherein R¹ is —H, —OH, —O(C₁–C₄ alkyl), —OCOC₆H₅, —OCO(C₁–C₆ alkyl), or—OSO₂(C₂–C₆ alkyl); R² and R³ are each independently —H, —OH, —O(C₁–C₄alkyl), —OCOC₆H₅, —OCO(C₁–C₆ alkyl), —OSO₂(C₂–C₆ alkyl) or halo; R⁴ is1-piperidinyl, 1-pyrrolidinyl, methyl-1-pyrrolidinyl,dimethyl-1-pyrrolidinyl, 4-morpholino, dimethylamino, diethylamino,diisopropylamino, or 1-hexamethyleneimino; n is 2 or 3; X is —S— or—HC═CH—; G is —O—, —S—, —SO—, SO₂, or —N(R⁵)—, wherein R⁵ is —H or C₁–C₄alkyl; and Y is —O—, —S—, —NH—, —NMe-, or —CH₂—; or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof.
 3. A compound according to claim 2 wherein G is—O—.
 4. A compound according to claim 3 wherein Y is —O—.
 5. A compoundaccording to claim 4 wherein n is
 2. 6. A compound according to claim 5wherein R¹ is —OH or —OCH₃.
 7. A compound according to claim 6 whereinR¹ is —OH.
 8. A compound according to claim 7 wherein R⁴ is1-piperidinyl or 1-pyrrolidinyl.
 9. A compound according to claim 8wherein R⁴ is 1-piperidinyl.
 10. A compound according to claim 9 whereintwo of R⁰, R² and R³ is —H.
 11. A compound according to claim 9 whereintwo of R⁰, R² and R³ is —H and the other is —OH.
 12. A compoundaccording to claim 9 wherein all of R⁰, R² and R³ are —H.
 13. A compoundaccording to claim 9 wherein at least one of R⁰, R², and R³ is halo andthe other or others is —H.
 14. A compound according to claim 13 whereinX is —S—.
 15. A compound according to claim 13 wherein X is —HC═CH—. 16.A compound according to claim 1 wherein said compound is5-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-5,11-dihydro-6-oxa-12-thia-dibenzo[a,f]azulen-2-olor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 17. A compound accordingto claim 1 wherein said compound is13-[4-(2-piperidin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl]-7,13-dihydro-12-oxa-benzo[4,5]cyclohepta[1,2-a]naphthalen-3-olor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 18. A pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising a compound according to claim 1 or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and optionally an effectiveamount of estrogen and progestin, in combination with a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt, diluent, or excipient.